LCCI decries planned importation of rice mills

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has taken a swipe at the Federal Government’s plan to import 100 rice mills from China for distribution to states.

LCCI, through its President, Goodie Ibru (OON) said the plan, if implemented, will spell doom for the local industries.

Ibru said: “The proposed acquisition of rice mills raises a number of specific concerns, some of which are the way the rice mills will be distributed, how will they be managed and operated alongside the existing rice processing mills owned by small scale operators without creating the challenge of unfair competition?”

He advised the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, to engage local operators in the plan so as to avoid any unforeseen difficulties that might arise. “The minister’s vision and programmes must align with the needs of the agricultural community since they are the operators that would ultimately translate the vision to reality. This can only happen if there is meaningful engagement with the operators in the sector. The agricul.tural transformation agenda will be better enriched through a better consultative process,” he stressed.